ABSTRACT
In 2020, the US was consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests. California was further compounded by a devastating fall wildfire season. Negative effects related to these events have been documented in research. Objective: This study sought to expand the literature by exploring areas of personal growth and development among college students with a lens on the impact of these three events. Methods: A diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a large public university system in California were recruited to participate in one of six focus groups held during the winter of 2020/2021 with 35 students. Findings: Thematic analysis was used to develop three themes: 1) experiencing fluctuation and repetition, 2) understanding myself and the world, and 3) finding hope and wanting action. Conclusions: Findings suggest opportunities for academic institutions to enhance critical thinking about contemporary issues and support students in developing skills to navigate change and transition successfully.
ABSTRACT
Due to a national shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists, pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) are often responsible for the screening, evaluation, and treatment of mental health disorders. COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders decreased access to mental health care and increased behavioral and emotional difficulties in children and adolescents. Despite increased demand upon clinicians, little is known about mental health care delivery in the pediatric primary care setting during the pandemic. This focus group study explored the experiences of pediatric PCPs and clinical staff delivering mental health care during the pandemic. Transcripts from nine focus groups with San Francisco Bay Area primary care practices between April and August 2020 were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Providers expressed challenges at the patient-, provider-, and system-levels. Many providers reported increased patient mental health symptomatology during the pandemic, which was often intertwined with patients' social determinants of health. Clinicians discussed the burden of the pandemic their own wellness, and how the rapid shift to telehealth primary care and mental health services seemed to hinder the availability and effectiveness of many resources. The findings from this study can inform the creation of new supports for PCPs and clinical staff providing mental health care.
ABSTRACT
We report 2 unusual cases of tandem bullets. Case 1 is a homicide involving a piggyback screw. Case 2 is a suicide involving multiple tandem bullets as a result of improper ammunition size. Tandem bullet injuries can have a wide variety of presentations. Therefore, it is essential that forensic pathologists understand the mechanisms of tandem bullet wounds and familiarize themselves with the autopsy and radiological findings seen in tandem bullet injuries. This report supports that use of incorrect caliber ammunition and the lodgment of foreign objects in the barrel of a gun are possible causes of tandem bullet injuries.
